Die Lunæ, 18 Augusti, 1645.

A Letter from Sir Tho. Fairfax, from Sherborne, of
15 Augusti 1645, concerning the Taking in of that
Castle, was this Day read.

Ordered, That the Committee of the West do forthwith pay to William Curtys, one of the Messengers that
brought the News of the Taking of Sherborne-Castle, the
Sum of Twenty Pounds for his Pains.

Ordered, That the Committee of both Kingdoms do
forthwith pay unto the Messenger that brought the Letter
from the General, concerning the Taking of the Castle of
Sherborne, the Sum of Twenty Pounds for his Pains.

Ordered, That the Committee of both Kingdoms do
forthwith pay unto the Messenger that brought the first
News of Sir Lewis Dives his Treating to surrender Sherborne-Castle, the Sum of Twenty Pounds for his Pains;
whereof the House was informed he had already received
Three Pounds from the said Committee.

Ordered, That Friday next be set apart for a Day of
Publick Thanksgiving to Almighty God, to be observed
and kept within all the Parishes in London and Westminster, the weekly Bills of Mortality, and Lines of Communication, in all the Churches and Chapels thereof, for
his several Mercies to the Forces of the Parliament in
divers Parts of the Kingdom, in the Gaining of the Towns
of Bath and Bridgewater, and of Scarborough-Castle, and
Sherborne-Castle, and for the Dispersing of the Clubmen,
and the good Success in Pembrokeshire: And

It is further Ordered, That the Lord Mayor of London
be desired to give speedy Notice of this Order to the Ministers of the several Places aforesaid.

Mr. Vassall is to acquaint the Lord Mayor with this
Order.

The Lords Concurrence to be desired herein.

Ordered, That Mr. Prideaux and Mr. Poole do, from
this House, desire Mr. Perne and Mr. Ward to preach
before the Commons House at St. Margaret's Church at
Westminster.

Resolved, &c. That the Two Sermons be preached one
after another, without Intermission.

A Letter from the Commissioners of both Houses, residing with the Scotts Army, of 13 Augusti 1645, with a
Paper inclosed, delivered from the Committee of the
Estates of Scotland to the Commissioners, were read.

Mr. Tate, Sir Peter Wentworth, Sir Robert Harley, Mr.
Thelloall, or any Two of them, are appointed to prepare,
from time to time, Answers to the Letters Mr. Speaker
shall receive from the Commissioners appointed to reside
with the Scotts Army; and bring them to Mr. Speaker to
sign: And that they take care to see such Things sent as
they now write for, and as they shall, from time to time,
desire.

According to former Order, the Paper from the Scotts
Commissioners of Augusti 14 1645, concerning the Matter
of Propositions, to be sent from both Kingdoms to his
Majesty, was this Day read.

Resolved, &c. That Propositions and Bills shall be sent
to his Majesty for a safe and well-grounded Peace: To
which a positive Answer shall be desired, without a
Treaty.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth declare, That they
will take it into speedy Consideration, What Propositions,
and what Bills, shall be sent to his Majesty: And that Two
Days in a Week shall be set apart for the Consideration of
this Business: Which Two Days shall be Monday and
Thursday, excepting Thursday next, which is especially
appointed for the Consideration of the Business of
Elections.

Ordered, That Mr. Bond and Mr. Case be desired, from
this House, to preach before the Commons House at St.
Margaret's Church, on Friday next, it being set apart for
a Day of Publick Thanksgiving, instead of Mr. Perne
and Mr. Ward, who are out of Town.

Ordered, That Mr. Prideaux and Mr. Gurdon do, from
this House, desire Mr. Bond and Mr. Case to preach before the Commons House, on Friday next, at St. Margaret's
Church, it being set apart for a Day of Publick Thanksgiving.

The humble Petition of Mr. James Cranford, Minister, a Prisoner in the Tower, was this Day read: And,
at the Request of the Gentlemen injured by him.

It is Ordered, upon the Question, That Mr. James
Cranford be forthwith discharged from his Imprisonment.

Upon a Report from the Common-Council,

It is Resolved, &c. That this House doth approve of
Lieutenant-Colonel Rowe and Major John Booker to be
sent from the Parliament into Munster, in Ireland.

A Letter from Sir John Gell, from Derby, 15 Augusti 1645; and one from him, of Augusti 16, to Sir
John Curson; and one from one Deane to Mr. Bedford,
Scoutmaster-General to the Committee of both Kingdoms, of 17 Augusti; were all this Day read; relating
the King's Motions, the Estate and Condition of his Forces;
were all this Day read; and That from the Scoutmaster
delivered back to Sir Philip Stapleton, who brought it in;
and That from Sir John Gell to Sir John Curson, delivered
back to him.

Ordered, That the Committee of the West do forthwith pay unto Mr. Bedford's Servant, who came likewise
from Sherborne, and brought the News, with the other
Messengers, of the Taking in of the Castle, the Sum of
Ten Pounds for his Pains.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of
the whole House, to review the former Propositions, last
sent to his Majesty to Oxford, for a safe and well-grounded
Peace; and thereupon to consider, Which of those Propositions, and what Bills, are fit to be sent; and what Alterations or Additions are fit to be made to the said
Propositions.

The House was accordingly immediately resolved into
a Committee.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir Thomas Widdrington called to the Chair.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Members of both
Houses, that are of the Committee of both Kingdoms, to
communicate to the Scotts Commissioners these Votes
concerning their Paper of 14 Augusti 1645, and the Business of the Propositions.

Ordered, &c. That a Conference be desired with the
Lords, to give them Reasons, Why they cannot agree
with them to the Reference of the Scotts Paper concerning Propositions; and to acquaint their Lordships, What
this House hath done in this Business.

Sir Philip Stapelton, Mr. Prideaux, and Mr. Sollicitor,
are appointed Managers of this Conference.

Ordered, &c. That the Ordinance concerning the Sale
of Delinquents Estates be read the Third time, the first
Business, To-morrow Morning.

The humble Petition of the Deputy-Lieutenants and
Committees of the County of Kent, in the Behalf of the
Gentry and Freeholders of the same, was this Day
read: And

It is Ordered, That it be referred to the Consideration
of the Grand Committee of the whole House, appointed
to consider of the Matter of Propositions.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

A Letter to be sent to the Scotts General, and Committee of both Kingdoms, appointed to reside with the
Scotts Army, prepared by the Committee of both Kingdoms, to be signed by Mr. Speaker, was this Day read;
and, upon the Question, assented unto.